Apparatus and method for sensing and displaying an image

ABSTRACT

According to an image sensing apparatus and an image display method therefor of this embodiment, since a preview image to be photographed and a viewing thumbnail image can be simultaneously displayed on one screen, and the display form can be arbitrarily changed by a simple selection operation on the screen, the visibility and operability of the image sensing apparatus can be largely improved.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an image sensing apparatus andan image display method therefor and, more particularly, to an imagedisplay method of displaying an input image and photographed image in animage sensing apparatus.

[0002] A conventional image sensing apparatus such as a digital camerahas an image display device such as an LCD, and a display method ofswitching a state wherein the input image of the CCD camera inphotographing is displayed (finder display) and a state wherein thephotographed image can be viewed (viewer display) is known well.

[0003] Some apparatuses simultaneously display a plurality of thumbnailimages (reduced images based on a predetermined file format) tofacilitate search for a desired image in the image viewing state.

[0004] In an image sensing apparatus allowing continuous photographing,generally, the display is switched from the photographing state to theviewing state after photographing so that the photographed image can beviewed. More specifically, in the conventional image sensing apparatus,the photographing state and viewing state are appropriately switched anddisplayed by the user operations: the preview image display in thephotographing state and the thumbnail image display in the viewing stateare switched.

[0005] However, the conventional image sensing apparatus such as adigital camera has as its feature portability based on its compact body,and an increase in number of operating buttons is undesirable. For thisreason, most conventional image sensing apparatuses assign a pluralityof numbers of functions to one operating button. Such an arrangementrequires a complex operation to switch the display state or view adesired image. The user must thoroughly read the operation manual tosufficiently understand the functions of the image sensing apparatus;otherwise, the user may erroneously use the apparatus. That is, theconventional image sensing apparatus is not always convenient to use forthe user.

[0006] In the image sensing apparatus allowing continuous photographing,a plurality of images are continuously photographed, so the photographedimages cannot be confirmed during photographing. When a series ofmovements of, e.g., a golf swing are to be continuously photographedwith the conventional digital camera, only the current instantaneousimage can be confirmed. That is, the continuous images which have beenphotographed so far cannot be confirmed during photographing.

[0007] In addition, if the user has failed to photograph a desiredimage, the conventional digital camera requires a series of operationsof viewing, confirmation, and delete after all images have beenphotographed, and the display method has been switched to the imageviewing state. This is cumbersome for the user, and simultaneously,since wasteful images are photographed, the load on the memory forstoring images increases.

[0008] As described above, the advantage of the digital camera, i.e.,the instantaneity which allows instantaneous confirmation of the imagephotographed with the CCD degrades because the finder display and viewerdisplay must be switched on the same screen.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide an imagesensing apparatus for simultaneously displaying an object image and animage held in the apparatus, and an image display method therefor.

[0010] According to the present invention, the foregoing object isattained by providing an image sensing apparatus comprising an imagesensing apparatus comprising input means for inputting an object imageto obtain image data, instruction means for generating an instructionfor holding the image data input by the input means, hold means forholding the image data input by the input means on the basis of theinstruction from the instruction means, and display means forsimultaneously displaying the image data input by the input means andthe image data held by the hold means.

[0011] In accordance with the present invention as described above, inphotographing, the user can simultaneously recognize the object image tobe photographed and the photographed image already held in theapparatus.

[0012] It is another object of the present invention to provide an imagesensing apparatus capable of showing details of a photographed image,and an image display method therefor.

[0013] According to the present invention, the foregoing object isattained by providing an image sensing apparatus comprising selectionmeans for selecting one of the plurality of second display areas of thedisplay means as an object to be viewed, and wherein the display meansdisplays details of the thumbnail image which has been displayed in thesecond display area selected by the selection means in the first displayarea.

[0014] In accordance with the present invention as described above, theuser can view an arbitrary photographed image.

[0015] It is another object of the present invention to provide an imagesensing apparatus capable of showing all photographed images, and animage display method therefor.

[0016] According to the present invention, the foregoing object isattained by providing an image sensing apparatus comprising the displaymeans having an index area for updating the plurality of thumbnailimages displayed in the plurality of second display areas, on the basisof a compressed image held by the hold means.

[0017] In accordance with the present invention as described above, evenwhen the number of photographed images is large, the user can view allthe images by appropriately operating an index on the display means.

[0018] The invention is particularly advantageous since, inphotographing, the user can simultaneously recognize the preview imagefor photographing and a photographed thumbnail image, the visibility andoperability of the image sensing apparatus can be largely improved.

[0019] Other features and advantages of the present invention will beapparent from the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate thesame or similar parts throughout the figures thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in andconstitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of theinvention and, together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

[0021]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an imagesensing apparatus according to the first embodiment;

[0022]FIG. 2 is a view showing the layout of the display screen in thefirst embodiment;

[0023]FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing image display processing in thefirst embodiment;

[0024] FIGS. 4 to 7 are views for explaining a thumbnail image displaymethod of the first embodiment;

[0025]FIG. 8 is a view for explaining a thumbnail image display methodof the first modification of the first embodiment;

[0026]FIG. 9 is a view for explaining a thumbnail image display methodof the second modification of the first embodiment;

[0027]FIG. 10 is a view showing the screen display in a TV conferencesystem according to the second embodiment; and

[0028]FIG. 11 is a view showing the structural features of the controlprogram of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now bedescribed in detail in accordance with the accompanying drawings.

[0030] <First Embodiment>

[0031]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an imagesensing apparatus, i.e., a digital camera according to the firstembodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an imagesensing section for photographing people, and paintings and calligraphicworks; 2, a driving section for moving the photographing range of theimage sensing section 1; 3, an image input processing section forconverting the image signal input from the camera 1 into image data tobe used for various application purposes; 4, a memory input controlsection for designating a memory area or performing timing control ininputting the image data from the image input processing section 3 in amemory 5; and 6, a memory output control section for designating amemory area or performing timing control in reading out the image datafrom the memory 5 and transferring the image data to a whole controlsection 7. The whole control section 7 controls whole processing ofreceiving image data, processing the image data, and outputting it. Thewhole control section 7 has a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU executes acontrol program held in the ROM using the RAM as a work area to performcontrol. Reference numeral 8 denotes a storage section for storingcompressed image data; 9, a display section for displaying image data onan LCD or the like; and 10, an output section for printing image data ona recording paper sheet, a communication section 11 for performingcommunication to transmit/receive image data to/from a partner terminal.The display section 9 has a display memory 91 and displays image data inaccordance with contents held in the display memory 91. Referencenumeral 12 denote an operating section for inputting a user instructionor notifying the state of the apparatus. The operation section 12 has ashutter button or the like with which the user instructs to receive astill image. The viewing instruction of this embodiment is input fromthe operating section 12.

[0032] The operation of the digital camera according to this embodimenthaving the above arrangement will be described below. First, the drivingsection 2 is driven in accordance with an instruction from the wholecontrol section 7 so that the image sensing region from the imagesensing section 1 is set at a predetermined position. Next, an imagesignal input from the image sensing section 1 is converted into imagedata through the image input processing section 3.

[0033] The image sensing section 1 of this embodiment can input not onlythe still image but also a moving image based on a composite signal ofNTSC or PAL. If a composite signal is input, the image input processingsection 3 YC-separates it into a Y signal (luminance signal) and Csignals (color difference signals) and then separates the C signals intoa Cr signal and a Cb signal. The resultant Y, Cr, and Cb signals areA/D-converted. If color space conversion is necessary, color spaceconversion processing of converting them into R (Red), G (Green), and B(Blue) signals is performed. If format conversion, resolutionconversion, or magnification conversion is necessary, pixel densityconversion processing, and accordingly, interpolation processing using afilter and the like are performed.

[0034] The image data prepared in the above manner is stored in apredetermined area of the memory 5 designated by the memory inputcontrol section 4. Under the control of the whole control section 7,when the image data stored in the memory 5 is to be output onto arecording paper sheet, the image data is transferred to the outputsection 10 and output. When the image data is to be stored, the imagedata is compressed and then transferred to the storage section 8 andstored. When the image data is to be displayed, the image data istransferred to the display memory 91 of the display section 9 anddisplayed. When the image data is to be transferred to a distant placeor another terminal, the image data is transferred to the communicationsection 11 and transmitted. In this embodiment, the image datatemporarily stored in the memory 5 is displayed in a predetermined areaof the display section 9 as a photographing preview image. Thecompressed image data stored in the storage section 8 is displayed in apredetermined area of the display section 9 as a viewing thumbnailimage.

[0035] The image display method of the display section 9 as thecharacteristic feature of this embodiment will be described next.

[0036]FIG. 2 is a view showing a display layout example of the displaysection 9. Referring to FIG. 2, reference numeral 100 denotes an actualentire display screen of the display section 9, which is constituted by,e.g., an LCD; 101, a main image display portion as a window at thecenter of the screen, on which a photographing preview image is mainlydisplayed; and 102 to 113, a plurality of subwindows at the peripheralportion of the screen, on which photographed viewing thumbnail imagesare displayed in time series. When the initial position of the viewingthumbnail image display is set at, e.g., the subwindow 102, the viewingthumbnail images are sequentially displayed on the subwindows 102 to 113in time series. Arrows 114 and 115 at the lower portion of the displayscreen 100 indicate indices which are selected to switch the viewingthumbnail images to earlier or later images. For example, by a simpleoperation equivalent to the general window operation of moving thecursor and clicking it on the screen to select the index 114 or 115, theviewing thumbnail images on the subwindows 102 to 113 are switched.

[0037] Display processing of this embodiment will be described next indetail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7. FIG. 3 is a flow chart showingimage display processing of this embodiment. The processing shown in theflow chart is controlled by the whole control section 7. FIGS. 4 to 7are views for explaining the thumbnail image display method of thisembodiment.

[0038] Simultaneously with the start of photographing, the preview imageof an object to be photographed is displayed on the main image displayportion 101 of the display section 9. The user photographs the objectwhile observing the preview image (S10).

[0039] It is determined whether photographing is performed, i.e.,whether the user depresses the shutter of the operating section 12 toinstruct to receive the preview image in the memory 5 (S11). If YES instep S11, the photographed image is subjected to processing such ascompression and then stored in the storage section 8 (S12). At thistime, to update the thumbnail images to be displayed on the subwindows102 to 113 at the peripheral portion of the screen, a thumbnail imagebased on the new compressed image stored in the storage section 8 isprepared and stored in the display memory 91 (S13). The new thumbnailimage is displayed on an appropriate one of the subwindows 102 to 113(S14).

[0040] In the subwindows 102 to 113 of this embodiment, e.g., theinitial position is set at the subwindow 102, and the thumbnail imagesare displayed in the clockwise direction every time a new image isphotographed. An example is shown in FIG. 4. The upper half of FIG. 4shows a state wherein the photographed thumbnail images are sequentiallybeing displayed in the subwindows 102 to 104 from the oldest image. Whena photographing instruction for the preview image displayed on the mainimage display portion 101 is generated, the preview image is newlystored in the storage section 8, and at the same time, displayed on thesubwindow 105, as shown at the lower half of FIG. 4. More specifically,a thumbnail image is displayed on the subwindow 102 first. Every time anew compressed image is stored in the storage section 8, thumbnailimages are sequentially displayed on the subwindows 103 to 113.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 5, after the thumbnail image is displayed on thesubwindow 113 upon making round of subwindows for thumbnail imagedisplay, new thumbnail images are sequentially displayed in theclockwise direction from the subwindow 102 every time a new image isphotographed. More specifically, when a photographing instruction forthe thumbnail image displayed on the main image display portion 101 atthe upper half of FIG. 5 is generated, display on the subwindows 102 to113 is cleared, and the new thumbnail images are sequentially displayedfrom the subwindow 102. In this embodiment, the thumbnail imagesdisplayed on the subwindows 102 to 113 at the upper half of FIG. 5 aredeleted from the screen as a new thumbnail image is displayed, as shownat the lower half of FIG. 5. In this case, the thumbnail images deletedfrom the screen are merely deleted from the display memory 91, and thecorresponding compressed image data are still held in the storagesection 8. Therefore, the image data can be read out from the storagesection 8 by operating the index 114 or 115, so each thumbnail image canbe displayed on an appropriate subwindow again.

[0042] If NO in step S11, it is determined whether any one of thethumbnail images displayed on the subwindows 102 to 113 is selected bythe user operation of the operating section 12 (S16). Selection of athumbnail image, i.e., a viewing instruction is input by, e.g., movingthe cursor and clicking it. This viewing instruction may also be inputby directly selecting a thumbnail image on the display screen by a peninput.

[0043] If YES in step S16, compressed image data corresponding to theselected thumbnail image is read out from the storage section 8,expanded, and enlarged so the details are displayed at the main imagedisplay portion 101 at the center of the screen (S17). FIG. 6 shows thisstate. In FIG. 6, the thumbnail image on the subwindow 103 is designatedas a viewing image.

[0044] When an instruction for completion of confirmation of theenlarged and displayed thumbnail image, i.e., completion of viewing thephotographed image is input by the user (S18), display at the main imagedisplay portion 101 is returned to the normal preview image (upper halfof FIG. 6) (S10).

[0045] If NO in step S16, it is determined whether the index 114 or 115is selected (S19). If the index 114 or 115 is selected, earlier or laterimages to be displayed on the subwindows 102 to 113 are sequentiallydetermined from the compressed image group stored in the storage section8 to update thumbnail image display on all the subwindows 102 to 113(S20). FIG. 7 shows this state. In FIG. 7, the index 114 is selected toreplace all thumbnail images with earlier images. If the index 115 isselected in the state shown at the lower half of FIG. 7, the displayreturns to that shown at the upper half of FIG. 7, as a matter ofcourse. In this embodiment, an arbitrary thumbnail image is be searchedfor by operating the indices 114 and 115, and when an arbitrarythumbnail image is selected as described above, details of the image canbe viewed. In addition, photographed images in an arbitraryphotographing period can be confirmed.

[0046] As described above, according to the first embodiment, thepreview image for photographing and thumbnail image for viewing can besimultaneously displayed on the same screen. In addition, since thedisplay form can be arbitrarily changed by a simple selection operationon the screen, the visibility and operability in the image sensingapparatus can be largely improved.

[0047] The image quality modes (the modes are classified into “fine”,“normal”, and “economy” depending on the data compression rate) of animage displayed in this embodiment, and the size of the main imagedisplay portion 101 or the subwindows 102 to 113 are not limited tospecific ones, and they can be arbitrarily set in accordance with thecompression scheme (e.g., JPEG) or file format (e.g., TIFF) used for theimages.

[0048] <First Modification of First Embodiment>

[0049] In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, thumbnail image aresequentially additionally displayed in the clockwise direction on thesubwindows at the peripheral portion of the screen every time a newimage is photographed. However, the present invention is not limited tothis. For example, the latest image may be always displayed on apredetermined window set as the initial position, and the thumbnailimage previously displayed on the subwindow may be shifted in theclockwise direction and redisplayed. FIG. 8 shows this example. In FIG.8, the latest thumbnail image is always displayed on the subwindow 102.When a photographing instruction for the preview image which is beingcurrently displayed at the main image display portion 101 is generated,the preview image is stored in the storage section 8, andsimultaneously, the thumbnail image of the image is displayed on thesubwindow 102. At this time, the thumbnail images displayed on thesubwindows 102 to 104 are sequentially shifted by one area to thesubwindows 103 to 105, respectively, and displayed, as shown at thelower half of FIG. 8.

[0050] When the latest thumbnail image display area is fixed, the usercan always recognize the latest photographed image at a glance.

[0051] <Second Modification of First Embodiment>

[0052] In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, when thumbnailimages are displayed on all the subwindows 102 to 113, display on thesubwindows 102 to 113 is cleared upon newly performing photographing.However, the present invention is not limited to this example. Forexample, when a new image is photographed after thumbnail images havebeen displayed on all the subwindows 102 to 113, only display on thesubwindow 102 as the initial position may be updated to the latestthumbnail image without changing display on the remaining subwindows.FIG. 9 shows this example. In FIG. 9, when the thumbnail image displayedat the main image display portion 101 shown at the upper half of FIG. 9is photographed, only thumbnail image display on the subwindow 102 isupdated, as shown at the lower half of FIG. 9. In this example, when thenext image is photographed, only thumbnail image display on thesubwindow 103 is updated. In the same manner, thumbnail image display issequentially updated clockwise every time a new image is photographed.

[0053] When only the latest thumbnail image is updated without clearingall the subwindows upon photographing a new image while thumbnail imagesare being on all the subwindows, the user can always refer to apredetermined number of newly thumbnail images (12 thumbnail images inthis embodiment). In this case, to identify the latest thumbnail image,a predetermined mark may be effectively added to the latest thumbnailimage.

[0054] <Second Embodiment>

[0055] The second embodiment of the present invention will be describedbelow.

[0056] In the second embodiment, the image display method of the digitalcamera described in the first embodiment is applied to a TV conferencesystem. FIG. 10 shows an example of the display screen of a TVconference system.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 10, reference numeral 200 denotes a displayscreen; 201, a main image display portion for displaying a speaker inthe TV conference or reference data for conference; and 202 to 213,peripheral portions as subwindows which display participants of theconference.

[0058] The operation will be described next.

[0059] When the display screen of the image display method for a digitalcamera as shown in FIG. 3 is to be applied to a simple TV conferencesystem, the speaker and the conference reference such as an original ordrawing are enlarged and displayed at the main image display portion 201at the center while the participants of the conference are displayed atthe peripheral portions 202 to 213.

[0060] The speaker displayed at the main image display portion 201 isautomatically switched. When a person displayed at the peripheralportion as a conference participant is to speak, he/she is displayed atthe main image display portion 201 while the image of the previousspeaker is displayed at the peripheral portion as a participant. Thedisplay is automatically switched in this manner so that the conferenceprogresses. The user can observe the progress of the conference whilerecognizing the conference participants and the current speaker withoutoperating the camera.

[0061] When the camera is connected to a telephone line, the apparatuscan be used as a TV phone terminal. In this case as well, the partnercan be displayed at the main image display portion 201 at the centerwhile the recent portraits of family members or colleagues are displayedat the peripheral portions 202 to 213.

[0062] As described above, according to the second embodiment, themethod of simultaneously displaying images for different dimensions suchas photographing and viewing can be applied to a simple TV conferenceterminal or a simple TV phone terminal. Therefore, a simple TVconference system for a small group can be easily constituted usinginexpensive communication protocol or TV conference software. Inaddition, persons in outdoors can participate the conference using thesimple TV conference system in units of companies or groups throughmobile communication.

[0063] <Third Embodiment>

[0064] The third embodiment of the present invention will be describedbelow.

[0065] In the third embodiment, a digital camera having, as itscharacteristic feature, the image display method according to theabove-described first embodiment is applied to the image receptionterminal of a fixed camera monitor system. The display screen is thesame as in FIG. 10.

[0066] The digital camera of the first embodiment can be applied to theimage reception terminal of a fixed camera monitor system, whichreceives images from monitor cameras set in department stores, variousstores, banks, financial agencies, warehouses, factories, transportfacilities, or the like and displays the received image using thecommunication section 11.

[0067] More specifically, images received from monitor cameras aredisplayed on peripheral portions 202 to 213, i.e., subwindows of ascreen 200 shown in FIG. 3, and an image of interest is enlarged at amain image display portion 201 to display details. With this method, theuser can obtain more specific monitor information.

[0068] According to the third embodiment, by applying the digital cameradescribed in the first embodiment to the monitor camera system, a moreinexpensive and functional camera monitor system can be constituted.

[0069] The digital camera can also be applied to a portable imagereception terminal by taking the advantage of portability of the digitalcamera. This image reception terminal can be carried as a monitorterminal for patrolling stores. An application purpose for a portableterminal used in leaving the monitor room can also be considered.

[0070] <Other Embodiments>

[0071] The object of the present invention can be realized even bysupplying a storage medium storing program codes shown in theabove-described flow chart to a system or an apparatus, and causing thecomputer (e.g., a CPU) of the system or the apparatus to read out andexecute the program codes stored in the storage medium, as a matter ofcourse. In this case, the program codes read out from the storage mediumachieve the new functions of present invention by themselves, and thestorage medium storing the program codes constitutes the presentinvention. As the storage medium for supplying the program codes, afloppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magnetooptical disk, aCD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the likecan be used.

[0072]FIG. 11 shows the structural features of the program of thepresent invention. Modules shown in FIG. 11 corresponds to therespective steps of the flow chart shown in FIG. 3.

[0073] The functions of the above-described embodiments are realized notonly when the readout program codes are executed by the computer butalso when the OS running on the computer performs part or all of actualprocessing on the basis of the instructions of the program codes torealize the function of the above-described embodiments, as a matter ofcourse.

[0074] The present invention can be applied to a system constituted by aplurality of devices such as a scanner, an interface, and a hostcomputer, or to an apparatus comprising a single device such as a videocamera.

[0075] As many apparently widely different embodiments of the presentinvention can be made without departing from the spirit and scopethereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to thespecific embodiments thereof except as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image sensing apparatus comprising: inputmeans for inputting an object image to obtain image data; instructionmeans for generating an instruction for holding the image data input bysaid input means; hold means for holding the image data input by saidinput means on the basis of the instruction from said instruction means;and display means for simultaneously displaying the image data input bysaid input means and the image data held by said hold means.
 2. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein said hold means compresses theimage data input by said input means and holds the image data.
 3. Theapparatus according to claim 2, wherein said display means displays theimage data input by said input means as a preview image.
 4. Theapparatus according to claim 3, wherein said display means displays athumbnail image based on the compressed image data held by said holdmeans.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said hold meansholds compressed image data of a plurality of images, and said displaymeans displays a plurality of thumbnail images.
 6. The apparatusaccording to claim 5, wherein said display means has a first displayarea for displaying the preview image and a plurality of second displayareas for displaying the plurality of thumbnail images.
 7. The apparatusaccording to claim 6, wherein said plurality of second display areas arearranged around said first display area.
 8. The apparatus according toclaim 7, wherein said display means sequentially displays the thumbnailimages from the earliest image in a clockwise direction while settingone of said plurality of second display areas as an initial position. 9.The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein when new compressed imagedata is held by said hold means on the basis of an instruction from saidinstruction means, and the thumbnail images are being displayed in allof said plurality of second display areas, said display means displays athumbnail image based on the new compressed image data in said seconddisplay area as the initial position.
 10. The apparatus according toclaim 9, wherein when new compressed image data is held by said holdmeans on the basis of an instruction from said instruction means, andthe thumbnail images are being displayed in all of said plurality ofsecond display areas, said display means clears display in all of saidplurality of second display areas and then displays a thumbnail imagebased on the new compressed image data in said second display area asthe initial position.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 7, whereinsaid display means sequentially displays the thumbnail images from thelatest image in a clockwise direction while setting one of saidplurality of second display areas as an initial position.
 12. Theapparatus according to claim 11, wherein when new compressed image datais held by said hold means on the basis of an instruction from saidinstruction means, and the thumbnail images are being displayed in allof said plurality of second display areas, said display means displays athumbnail image based on the new compressed image data in said seconddisplay area as the initial position.
 13. The apparatus according toclaim 12, wherein when new compressed image data is held by said holdmeans on the basis of an instruction from said instruction means, andthe thumbnail images are being displayed in all of said plurality ofsecond display areas, said display means clears display in all of saidplurality of second display areas and then displays a thumbnail imagebased on the new compressed image data in said second display area asthe initial position.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 6, furthercomprising selection means for selecting one of said plurality of seconddisplay areas of said display means as an object to be viewed, andwherein said display means displays details of the thumbnail image whichhas been displayed in said second display area selected by saidselection means in said first display area.
 15. The apparatus accordingto claim 14, wherein said display means expands, of compressed imagesheld by said hold means, an image corresponding to the thumbnail imagewhich has been displayed in said second display area selected by saidselection means, and displays the image in said first display area. 16.The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said display means expands,of compressed images held by said hold means, an image corresponding tothe thumbnail image which has been displayed in said second display areaselected by said selection means, enlarges the image, and displays theimage in said first display area.
 17. The apparatus according to claim15, further comprising completion instruction means for instructingcompletion of viewing, and wherein said display means displays thepreview image in said first display area when said completioninstruction means instructs completion of viewing.
 18. The apparatusaccording to claim 6, wherein said display means has an index area forupdating the plurality of thumbnail images displayed in said pluralityof second display areas, on the basis of a compressed image held by saidhold means.
 19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein saiddisplay means has a first index area for updating the plurality ofthumbnail images displayed in said plurality of second display areas toearlier images, and a second index area for updating the thumbnailimages to later images.
 20. The apparatus according to claim 7, whereinsaid first display area is larger than said second display area.
 21. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein said instruction means instructsphotographing of the image data input by said input means.
 22. Theapparatus according to claim 21, wherein said instruction meanscomprises a shutter mechanism.
 23. The apparatus according to claim 1,wherein said display means displays an image on an LCD.
 24. An imagedisplay method for an image sensing apparatus, comprising: the inputstep of inputting an object image to obtain image data; the instructionstep of generating an instruction for photographing the image data inputin the input step; the hold step of holding, in a memory, the image datainput in the input step on the basis of the photographing instruction inthe instruction step; and the control step of simultaneously displayingthe image data input in the input step and the image data held in saidmemory in the hold step on a display.
 25. The method according to claim24, wherein the hold step includes compressing the image data input inthe input step and holding the image data in said memory.
 26. The methodaccording to claim 25, wherein the control step includes performingcontrol to display the image data input in the input step on saiddisplay as a preview image.
 27. The method according to claim 26,wherein the control step includes performing control to display athumbnail image based on compressed image data held in said memory. 28.The method according to claim 27, wherein the hold step includes holdingcompressed image data of a plurality of images in said memory, and thecontrol step includes displaying a plurality of thumbnail images in saiddisplay.
 29. The method according to claim 28, wherein the control stepincludes performing control to display the preview image in a firstdisplay area of said display and the plurality of thumbnail images in aplurality of second display areas of said display.
 30. The methodaccording to claim 29, wherein said plurality of second display areas ofsaid display are arranged around said first display area.
 31. The methodaccording to claim 30, wherein the control step includes sequentiallydisplaying the thumbnail images from the earliest image in a clockwisedirection while setting one of said plurality of second display areas asan initial position.
 32. The method according to claim 31, wherein thecontrol step includes, when new compressed image data is held in saidmemory on the basis of an instruction in the instruction step, and thethumbnail images are being displayed in all of said plurality of seconddisplay areas, displaying a thumbnail image based on the new compressedimage data in said second display area as the initial position.
 33. Themethod according to claim 32, wherein the control step includes, whennew compressed image data is held in said memory on the basis of aninstruction in the instruction step, and the thumbnail images are beingdisplayed in all of said plurality of second display areas, clearingdisplay in all of said plurality of second display areas and thendisplaying a thumbnail image based on the new compressed image data insaid second display area as the initial position.
 34. The methodaccording to claim 30, wherein the control step includes sequentiallydisplaying the thumbnail images from the latest image in a clockwisedirection while setting one of said plurality of second display areas asan initial position.
 35. The method according to claim 34, wherein thecontrol step includes, when new compressed image data is held in saidmemory on the basis of an instruction in the instruction step, and thethumbnail images are being displayed in all of said plurality of seconddisplay areas, displaying a thumbnail image based on the new compressedimage data in said second display area as the initial position.
 36. Themethod according to claim 35, wherein the control step includes, whennew compressed image data is held in said memory on the basis of aninstruction in the instruction step, and the thumbnail images are beingdisplayed in all of said plurality of second display areas, clearingdisplay in all of said plurality of second display areas and thendisplaying a thumbnail image based on the new compressed image data insaid second display area as the initial position.
 37. The methodaccording to claim 29, further comprising the viewing selection step ofselecting one of said plurality of second display areas of said displayas an object to be viewed, and wherein the control step includesdisplaying details of the thumbnail image which has been displayed insaid second display area selected in the viewing selection step in saidfirst display area.
 38. The method according to claim 37, wherein thecontrol step includes performing control to expand, of compressed imagesheld in said memory, an image corresponding to the thumbnail image whichhas been displayed in said second display area selected in the selectionstep, and display the image in said first display area.
 39. The methodaccording to claim 38, wherein the control step includes performingcontrol to expand, of compressed images held in said memory, an imagecorresponding to the thumbnail image which has been displayed in saidsecond display area selected in the selection step, enlarge the image,and display the image in said first display area.
 40. The methodaccording to claim 38, further comprising the completion instructionstep of instructing completion of viewing, and wherein the control stepincludes performing control to display the preview image in said firstdisplay area when completion of viewing is instructed in the instructionstep.
 41. The method according to claim 29, further comprising the indexselection step of selecting an index area of said display, and whereinsaid control step includes performing control to update the plurality ofthumbnail images displayed in said plurality of second display areas, onthe basis of a compressed image held in said memory.
 42. The methodaccording to claim 41, wherein the control step includes performingcontrol to update the plurality of thumbnail images displayed in saidplurality of second display areas to earlier images when a first indexarea is selected in the index selection step and to update the pluralityof thumbnail images displayed in said plurality of second display areasto later images when a second index area is selected in the indexselection step.
 43. The method according to claim 30, wherein said firstdisplay area is larger than said second display area.
 44. A computerprogram product, comprising a computer usable medium having computerreadable program code means embodied in said medium for causing thecomputer to execute image display, said product comprising: a programcode for the input step of inputting an object image to obtain imagedata; a program code for the instruction step of generating aninstruction for holding the image data input in the input step; aprogram code for the hold step of holding, in a memory, the image datainput in the input step on the basis of the instruction in theinstruction step; and a program code for the control step ofsimultaneously displaying the image data input in the input step and theimage data held in said memory in the hold step on a display.
 45. A TVconference system using, as a terminal, an image sensing apparatuscomprising: input means for inputting an object image to obtain imagedata; instruction means for generating an instruction for holding theimage data input by said input means; hold means for holding the imagedata input by said input means on the basis of the instruction from saidinstruction means; display means for simultaneously displaying the imagedata input by said input means and the image data held by said holdmeans; and communication means for performing communication with anexternal unit.
 46. The system according to claim 45, wherein said inputmeans inputs an image of a speaker, and said hold means holds an imageof a conference participant.
 47. The system according to claim 46,wherein said hold means holds an image of a reference.
 48. A cameramonitor system using, as an image reception terminal, an image sensingapparatus comprising: input means for inputting an object image toobtain image data; instruction means for generating an instruction forholding the image data input by said input means; hold means for holdingthe image data input by said input means on the basis of the instructionfrom said instruction means; display means for simultaneously displayingthe image data input by said input means and the image data held by saidhold means; and communication means for performing communication with anexternal unit.
 49. The system according to claim 48, wherein said holdmeans holds an image input from said external unit.
 50. The systemaccording to claim 49, wherein said image sensing apparatus hasselection means for selecting one of the image data held by said holdmeans, and said display means mainly displays the image data selected bysaid selection means.